With the curtain set to raise on the 2011/12 campaign this Friday, new Grand Forks Border Bruins’ head coach and GM Brent Batten says his roster is pretty much set.
Batten said there were some surprises during the team’s two exhibition games – 4-2 and 8-3 losses to North Vancouver and Osoyoos respectively – and players made an impression.
“A lot of guys really stepped up that we weren’t necessarily expecting to play a big a role as they (did), Austin Lee (forward) being one of them,” Batten said.
“He’s a 16-year-old and I think he’s scored a goal in every exhibition game we’ve had and really stepped up in the leadership department as well.”
Batten also pointed to Nathan Cory as a player that stepped up in the defensive corps and said that forwards Jacob Bergeron and Cole Fletcher were producing as well.
Ryan Bryant will get the start in net in the season and home opener against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks although Batten said that, as of press time, there hadn’t been a decision on who would be the No. 2 – he said the decision would probably be made by Wednesday.
It would be between Jeremy Mandoli and Nathan Nicolson, who saw some time with the Border Bruins late last season.
Nevertheless, the head coach and GM said that the goalies had the ability to steal a game when asked.
“I think all the (goalies) we had in camp had that ability to really step in and they’ve all played well,” explained Batten.
“It’s left us with a tough decision for sure, which is a good thing. The fact that we can rely on these guys and our team is confident with any one of them in the net is a real bonus for us.”
As for division rival Beaver Valley, Batten said that they were a team that was fleet of foot and expected an up-tempo game.
“They have a good club over there and we’re definitely respecting that fact but at the same time, I think our skill level matches Beaver Valley’s nicely.”
Batten said that Bergeron had been named as this year’s team captain. The Beaver Valley game will take place at Grand Forks Arena at 7:30 p.m.